WC Missouri News

The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center (AFIMSC) is at the forefront of the fielding of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber for the Air Force. According to Col. Martin Pantazé, Det. 10 commander, "We’ve been engaged in the B-21 basing strategy since its inception acting as a liaison to AFGSC. AFGSC commanders rely heavily on our knowledge and expertise to deliver installation and mission support operations and synchronize a wide scope of activities."

Detachment 10, a part of AFIMSC, is key in providing support for the B-21 basing and beddown program. They work closely with various entities, including the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, to ensure all requirements are met. Tom Hodges, chief of the AFCEC Mobility & Materiel Military Construction Branch, stated, "We plan to deliver everything from new facilities to supporting infrastructure with a mix of new construction and renovation projects to support the airframe, personnel and operations."

The AFCEC team is actively involved in the construction efforts at Ellsworth Air Force Base, the first of three main operating bases for the B-21 Raider. Col. George Nichols, deputy director of the AFCEC Facility Engineering Directorate, emphasized the importance of collaboration in executing such a massive program, stating, "Every major beddown we‘ve executed is a team sport, and to stay on track we unify our efforts with a multitude of stakeholders to meet the strategic mission requirements."

AFCEC's Environmental Directorate is conducting site evaluations and analyses to understand the potential impacts of the B-21 beddown at various locations. As Hodges mentioned, teamwork is fundamental in establishing effective construction plans to ensure mission-ready infrastructure is in place for the arrival of the new aircraft.

The B-21 Raider is set to provide critical strategic deterrence capabilities, with a production goal of a minimum of 100 aircraft. The efforts of AFIMSC, AFCEC, and other partners highlight the dedication and coordination required to successfully field the B-21 Raider and ensure the Air Force is equipped to address emerging global threats.